Posted: 9/28/2008 2:47:13 PM EDT
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After spending way to much time reading this forum, looking at Ar-jedi's communications box and trying to decide exactly what I wanted in mine, I finally decided which way I wanted to go. Although not complete, here it is... http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo294/LWCOMM/Picture116.jpg I was going back and forth with putting my FT-817 in the box or purchasing either a IC-703, IC-706 or an FT-857. (All great radios) Funding is limited for purchasing another radio at the moment and the problem I had with the FT-817 was that it can be difficult to make contacts with on an average day. I feel the FT-817 is great on receive and would be very valuable in a true SHTF situation but for simple everyday use QRP is somewhat difficult. It is fun to make contacts on and is great for taking out in a backpack. In the end I decided that I wanted to be able to take my portable box and go somewhere other than my home QTH (location) and make contacts as confidently as if I was home. In order to do this I figured I didn't need to buy a new radio, just put the one I was confident in into the box. Thus the IC-718 was and still is my primary HF rig. I also figured that in almost every case I would probably have AC power available. The FT-8800 on the bottom is a great dual band radio that allows me several options including using it as a cross band repeater. Power poles are a great way to go and they allow me to change or swap things out very quickly. The Rigrunner is fused and I have a couple of other Rigrunner’s I could swap out in a minute if I was having a problem. The LDG Autotuner on the left allow me two antennas for HF and also has the power and SWR meters that helps me to see immediately if it looks like I am having issues. I plan on adding a panel on the lower right for my antenna connections as well as a better hookup for AC power and for DC power. It seems like everything in HAM radio is a tradeoff, you simply can’t have it all! With that said I think I have come up with a solution for a portable box that suites my needs. I can go to someone else’s place with a portable antenna and be up in running in minutes. Any thoughts or opinions on my solution would be appreciated. 73 |
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Great looking box! I have to find a way to fit in my 857, 8800, and Alinco DR235 into one, and keep it clean still. How is that Radio Shack power supply working for you? I run off of a Marine Batt, but Im thinking of picking up a power supply, and right now the local RS is running a sale on that model. |